Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno: 'Where are our rivals?'

The songwriter, who is currently preparing to release Kasabian's fourth studio album Velociraptor!, claimed that there are no decent up-and-coming bands in the charts to compete with.

Pizzorno told the Daily Record: "We have been having this conversation more and more with mates. Where is everyone? We have been sprinting along like maniacs and I turn around and there is nobody there."

He added: "Where is the next wave making great tunes? There don't seem to be any bands doing that. Perhaps the bands aren't getting signed or being allowed to develop. It feels like it is wide open and somebody needs to fill that gap."

Pizzorno also revealed that he cut down on his rock and roll lifestyle while writing the new record.

The 30-year-old admitted: "Creatively on this record, I was as clean as I've ever been. I'm not saying... in the past there was lots going on.

"I don't need to get out of my mind to bring things in. Drink numbs you a bit. I tend to do that at the end of the record rather than during it."

Kasabian's new album Velociraptor! will be released in the UK on September 19.